Species point records from 1979 NCC Uists sublittoral survey

The report is in two parts, describing i) marine and ii) brackish sites in the Uists. Marine sites include Lochs Skipport, Eynort and Eport, and some west coast sites near the Monarch Isles. Brackish sites include Loch an Duin, Oban a Calachain, Loch Obisay and Loch Bec. Brief descriptions of marine communities are given and comments on a difference between the west coast of Uist, with extensive shallow offshore rock, and the east coast with deep water close inshore, and more silty areas near the sea-lochs. Species recorded by Nicol 1936 are included in the species lists for the brackish lochs. Brief descriptions of each site are given, with tables of abundance of species found. Salinity and temperature data are presented for the brackish lochs. This survey reconfirmed the interest and conservation importance of the brackish lochs: Loch an Duin, Oban a Calachain and Loch Obisary. Loch Eynort, was the most interesting of the three sea-lochs surveyed and would probably be considered as a prime site in a full marine nature conservation review. Only two sites were surveyed off the Monachs in the very extensive kelp beds. Although not stated in the report, it is considered that the area around the Monarchs NNR would make an ideal marine nature reserve representative of Laminaria hyperborea forest. Loch Obisary, Loch Eynort and the Monarchs have all been identified as having intertidal areas of prime marine biological importance by the NCC contract intertidal survey unit. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.